Receiving oral sex from someone with HIV

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Even if their viral load is detectable, this is considered to be an extremely low risk. Infection would really only be possible if someone with HIV was giving someone oral sex when their mouth was bleeding.

Performing oral sex on a man with HIV

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There’s a potential risk if an HIV negative person performs oral sex on a man with HIV who has a detectable viral load.

This risk increases if a man’s infected pre-cum or semen gets into the other person’s mouth.

Avoid getting semen in your mouth – all but one of the cases where someone has been infected with HIV through oral sex took place when an HIV positive person with a detectable viral load ejaculated into their mouth.

Performing oral sex on a woman with HIV

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This carries a very small risk, which can be cut by holding a latex barrier over the woman’s vagina.

Oral sex during a woman’s period carries a greater risk.

Reducing the risk from oral sex

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The risk from unprotected oral sex with someone with a detectable viral load increases if you have:

a throat infection (including an STI in the throat)

damage to the lining of the mouth or throat

had recent dental work or your gums bleed a lot.

Avoid performing oral sex without protection on someone with a detectable viral load while you have any of the above.